Improved cartridge-box



UNITED STATES A. D. LAIDLEY, 0F PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPRovi-:D CARTRIDGE-Box.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 49,420, dated August 15, 186.5.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, A. D. LAIDLEY, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Cartridge-Box; and I do hereby de clare the following to be a full, clear, and eX- act description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists ot' a cartridge case with recesses in both edges for containing can tridges, provided with two flaps, and so suspended to the accouterments that it can be reversed for the purpose of withdrawing the cartridges from the recesses in either edge of the case.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l Ais a side View ot' my improved cartridgebox, showing a portion of the accouterments and the man: er in which the box is attached t0 the same; Fig. 2, a t'ront view, and Fig. 3 a section on the line l L, Fig. 2.

Similar letters referto similar parts throughout the several views.

A is a leather box or case, which isopen at both edges, and within which is a block, B, of wood or other suitable material. In one edge ofthe block B are recesses t a for the reception of the cartridges, and in the opposite edge are similar recesses, a a', for a similar purpose. The leather at one side of the case A is exte; ded so as to form a flap or cover, c, which is turned over the edge of the case, and is secured to the opposite side ofthe same by buttons d, a similar ap, c', extending over tllc other edge of the case and being buttoned in a similar manner to the opposite side of the Stime.

To a stud, e, at the center of each end ot' the case A, is hung a plate, C, and to one arm, t', of each plate is secured one end of the shoulder-belt D. 0n the waist-belt E slide two bands, F F, from each of which extends a tongue, the latter being connected to the arm t ofthe plate C on one end of the case, and the other to the arm fl ofthe plate C on the opposite end of the case.

The belt D is passed round the neck of the wearer, the ends passing down over the breast, and the waist-belt is secured `in its position so thatV the box will be suspended in the usual place in front of the wearer, the uppermost ilap, c, being buttoned to the front side of the box. When a cartridge is required the uppermost Hap, c, is raised and a cartridge is withdrawn from one ot the recesses a, the operation being repeated Auntil all the cartridges have been removed. Should more cartridges he then required, the box is turned on the studs e until the opposite edge ot' the block B is uppermost, when the ilap c is unbuttoned and the cartridges withdrawn from the openings a.

a', as before. t

ln boxes of the ordinary character the cartridges are combined in two cases, placed one above the other, the upper case being removed when empty. This operation ot' removing and replacing the cases is tedious and inconvenient, the cartridges are ditiieult ot access, and

the case is cumbersome and bulky.

It will be apparent that by making-the case reversible and so that it can be opened at both sdcs, and by arranging the recesses for containing the cartridges as described, ready access may be had to all the cartridges, which can be withdrawn without diculty.

A case of the character above described is but about two-thirds ofthe size ofthe ordinary case, while it will contain one-third more cartridges.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1.- A cartridgecase with recesses in both edges t'or containing cartridges, and provided with two naps, and so suspended to the accouterments that it can be reversed, as described, for the purpose specified.

2. The plates C, hung to the ends ofthe case and constructed for attachment to the belts D and E, substantially as described. f

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specilication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

i A. D. LAIDLEY.

Witnesses:

CHARLES D. FOSTER, JOHN WHITE. 

